Container with stacking feature

Inactive Publication Date: 2011-02-10
PACTIV LLC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the disclosed subject matter, as embodied and broadly described herein, a novel food container structure is disclosed which provides a significant reduction in cost and also provides a method of stacking food containers to provide improved visibility and venting of the food product contained therein. Particularly, the disclosed subject matter includes a container comprising a bottom having a periphery, and a side wall extending generally upward from the bottom with the sidewall configured to extend around the periphery in an alternating pattern of peaks and valleys to define an interior of the container. The sidewall defines a top edge and a bottom edge, and at least one stacking feature disposed proximate the bottom edge of the sidewall such that the at least one stacking feature is located at a peak. The stacking feature allows for a second container of similar configuration to be positioned or stacked on top of the first container without the need for a lid or cover.

Problems solved by technology

However, the presence of a cover member often conceals the food item positioned within the container and can present a less aesthetically appealing display.
Also, container designs which incorporate a cover member are typically not able to be nested within each other, but instead have the base of one container rest on top of the cover member of a second container.
This results in a stacked container having an undesirable height which requires a large storage space to accommodate the plurality of containers.

Method used

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Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0038]Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The method and corresponding steps of the disclosed subject matter will be described in conjunction with the detailed description of the system.

[0039]The methods and systems presented herein can be used for transporting and displaying food items. The disclosed subject matter is particularly suited for stacking a plurality of containers. In accordance with an aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a container is disclosed comprising a bottom having a periphery and a side wall extending generally upward from the bottom. The sidewall is configured to extend around the periphery in an alternating pattern of peaks and valleys to define an interior of the container, and the sidewall further defines a top edge and a bottom edge. At least one stacking feature is disposed proximate the bottom edge of the sidewall, s...

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PUM

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Abstract

Container including a bottom and sidewalls with undulating pattern of peaks and valley. At least one stacking feature is provided to allow a plurality of containers to be stacked. In one embodiment, the stacking feature is disposed proximate a bottom edge of the sidewall at a peak. In another embodiment, the stacking feature is a stack flap disposed proximate a top edge of the container. Alternatively, the stacking feature is a stack ring having a shape which corresponds to the sidewall perimeter and has an inwardly protruding lip.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The disclosed subject matter relates to food containers and, more particularly, to a container having a sidewall configuration that allows for multiple containers of similar configuration to be stacked on top of each other when in a first orientation, and nested within each other when in a second orientation.[0003]2. Description of Related Art[0004]A variety of container designs are known for packaging and transport of food items. It is often desirable for containers to be stacked in order to allow a customer to carry or store several containers at once. Such conventional containers generally require a lid or cover member to provide a support surface for the stacked container to be positioned above. Generally, such configurations have been considered satisfactory for their intended purpose.[0005]However, the presence of a cover member often conceals the food item positioned within the container and can present a less ae...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): B65D21/00
CPCB65D21/043B65D1/34
InventorPETLAK, FRANK ANDREWKIRKLAND, H. BERNARDCAPPEL, CRAIG EDWARD
OwnerPACTIV LLC